Well, I loved the 2K games, but I do agree that they did have their issues. I remember for years you couldn't adjust your KR's in the game. I remember when the announcers didn't say the rookies last names. I remember 2K5's draft glitch of only drafting QB's, RB's, DE's and T's in round one. I remember marquee players getting traded constantly in the game. You'd look up and see Peyton Manning on the Chiefs or Ray Lewis in free agency.
With that said, you saw HUGE strides from the 2K games year to year. I think that's the issue here. In the 2K games, if something was wrong the previous year, they'd work hard to fix it for the next. They got rid of the WWF-esque tackling. They introduced a weekly prep. They gave you halftime highlights. Post game interviews. Mel Kiper draft anaylsis. The presentation was amazing. They even allowed you to add in your own tunes for stadium music. I can go on and on.
With Madden, they seem to ignore the problems people bring up year after year and instead create new modes. I think the Run to Daylight feature is interesting, but not when all the NFL QB's hold the ball high like Aaron Rodgers. Not when the tackling isn't as advanced as it could be. Not when WR's don't catch the ball in stride. Not when there is no TV style presentation. Not when there's a lack of ESPN presence. Not when there is no two man commentary team...